In The Programme - Darlington

Two games since I last sat down to write something against a set of neighbours and you couldn't wish for two different performances. Rushden were despatched with some ease in the FA Cup and how great it was to see us return to winning ways here at the Vetch. Even more so to welcome back Mr Magic Daps himself and of course he just had to return with a goal. But then on Monday we didn't perform at the right level and were rightly beaten by Northampton. In fairness they were boosted by the performance of Josh Low on the right for them - certainly gave us a tough time on the night but we move on and we can look forward to hopefully taking three points today.

It is interesting that today's visitors are Darlington as I have told you a couple of times this season about Scott Thornberry and the problems he had with a web-site that he runs as part of the Rivals.net network. Scott is now back on-line with his site and it seems that Mr Reynolds has dropped the problems that he had with Scott and realised that there is room for freedom of speech after all. I have some advice myself for Mr Reynolds and that is to talk to some of our directors today and realise that a football club and it's supporters can work in harmony together and although I know that the likes of Huw, Leigh and Dave don't agree with everything that appears on JackArmy.net, I also know that in the main they still take an interest in what the fans are saying because, of course, they are fans themselves. It may just be worth their opposite number taking note and learning a few things.

The third division is certainly taking shape now and it seems that the first relegation spot is all but taken by Carlisle. Eleven points from safety at the time of writing and just one win all season. When you consider that 50 points is widely expected to be the safety mark that teams should aim for 45 points out of the next 84 seems a little beyond them this time around. Other than that the division is pretty close with Southend, who occupy the other relegation spot only 13 points off the play offs at the start of play - a wide open race. I am sure our first target is safety this season and that is only a few wins away now. Bit of a difference to last season.

Of course by the time you read this we will know whether Portugal will be the favoured destination of many Welsh people next summer. I don't have the benefit of that knowledge 24 hours before the game in Cardiff but after last Saturday Wales certainly have a better than even chance I believe. After the poor performances of late it was great to see a Welsh team do the job it set out to do. Sad to see that the Russians though tried to get Ryan Giggs suspended for the second leg. No-one can doubt that the elbow made contact with their man but it was clearly the time difference between Wales and Russia that resulted in him having to wait a few seconds to hit the deck after it. Seems somewhat two faced then when they bleat about bad sportsmanship don't you think?

Of course next time we will be back here at the Vetch it's for the FA Cup again and the visit of Stevenage. Not taking anything away from the opposition but it is a game that we should be expected to win and then anything can happen as we wait for the Round Three draw. There is no denying that the club will be praying for that to happen and a big name coming out as our opposition to bring some needed money into the club again. A third division club could survive for many weeks on the benefits of playing somewhere like Old Trafford or Stamford Bridge. Ah, we can dream.

Anyway that's it from me again - enjoy the game and make some more noise. We have been a bit muted of late here at the Vetch - we can make a difference.

Phil Sumbler (phil@sumbler.freeserve.co.uk)

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